Burnley keeper Heaton roars: ‘Bring on QPR!’

Chris Boden

Keeper Tom Heaton is looking to bounce back into the automatic promotion places with victory at QPR tomorrow (kick-off 12-15 p.m.).

Burnley go to Loftus Road three points behind the second place Rs, knowing a win, in lieu of their superior goal difference, would see them leapfrog Harry Redknapp’s side.

And Heaton, who made two vital saves in Tuesday’s goal-less draw at home to Brighton, is looking forward to the Championship’s match of the day: “There’s no getting away from the fact it’s a big game. It’s a top of the table clash, with both teams chasing for promotion.

“It’s a chance to get up there and move up the table again.

“It’s another three points that are all vital and three we’re desperate for.”

Burnley were the first team to beat Rangers this season, winning 2-0 at Turf Moor back in October as Championship leaders, and the 27-year-old is looking to complete the double: “It doesn’t get any easier, with an away game at QPR.

“We all know the quality they’ve got, but I think we can take heart from what we did here earlier in the season.

“If we go about it with the same sort of mentality...we won’t be taking them lightly but focusing on what we’re doing. If we go about it in the right way there’s no reason why we can’t get a result.

“These are the games as players you’re desperate to play in, away at QPR, at the right end of the table, pushing for promotion.

“There’s an excitement and and enjoyment about the challenge.”

Former Claret Charlie Austin barely got a kick on his return in October, and is a doubt for tomorrow, having come off after landing on his shoulder in the 2-1 win over Bolton on Tuesday.

But Heaton is aware of their many threats: “As with every game, we look at the players they’ve got in the side and possible things they may do but not go overboard.

“We focus on what we’re doing and just try to impose ourselves on the game and do the things that we do properly. There won’t be any special requirements for Charlie.”